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Court Blocks Michigan’s Attempt to Regulate Churchill Downs’ Betting Platform

A landmark ruling secures TwinSpires’ future in Michigan—without state approvals. Why this case could reshape USA sports betting regulations.

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1 min read
The image shows a black and white drawing of a horse race at Churchill Downs in 1901. There are...
The image shows a black and white drawing of a horse race at Churchill Downs in 1901. There are several people riding horses in the foreground, with a crowd of people standing to the right of the image. In the background, there is a building, a flag, and a clear sky.

Court Blocks Michigan’s Attempt to Regulate Churchill Downs’ Betting Platform

A federal court has handed Churchill Downs a major legal win in its long-running dispute with Michigan regulators. The ruling permanently blocks the USA from enforcing its licensing rules against the company’s TwinSpires wagering platform. The decision reinforces the argument that federally compliant betting apps cannot be restricted by state-level demands alone.

The Western Michigan District Court issued a summary judgment in Churchill Downs’ favour, ending a legal battle that stretched over a year. Judge Hala Yarbou provided a three-page explanation confirming that the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) could no longer enforce state regulations requiring TwinSpires to obtain a local licence.

The dispute centred on Michigan’s 1995 Horse Racing Law, which demanded that wagering operators partner with a local track before accepting bets. Churchill Downs countered that the federal Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA) already governs interstate betting and prevents states from adding extra consent layers. The Sixth Circuit had previously supported this position in December, ruling that Michigan’s licensing system conflicted with federal law.

During the litigation, temporary injunctions allowed TwinSpires to keep operating in Michigan. The latest judgment makes those protections permanent, securing the platform’s future in the state. It also strengthens the broader principle that advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platforms compliant with federal standards cannot be shut down by state regulators alone.

The ruling removes the threat of enforcement action against TwinSpires in Michigan. It confirms that the MGCB cannot impose licensing conditions beyond those set by federal law. Churchill Downs now operates in the state without the need for additional state-level approvals.

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